Mets Morning News: Johan Santana Is Out Of Shape, Lucas Duda Drops A Bomb

Meet the Mets

The Mets and Marlins tied 8-8 on Saturday afternoon, the Mets' third tie of the young spring. Matt Harvey got the start and looked fine after allowing a leadoff home run to Marlins' prospect Christian Yelich. Lucas Duda, back in the lineup after an undisclosed doctor's visit, went 2-3 with an opposite field double and a long home run to center, both very impressive for the big guy. Brian Bixler also hit a home run, though after making a couple of fielding errors the inning before. The Mets take on the Marlins again this afternoon at 1:00 as Dillon Gee gets the ball.

The biggest news yesterday was Jon Heyman reporting that Johan Santana was not in pitching shape and that the Mets were surprised that he hadn't thrown much over the offseason. Of course, that was kind of put to rest this morning, as Santana threw off of a mound.

Shaun Marcum, LaTroy Hawkins, and Pedro Feliciano will all pitch in Tuesday's spring training game. For Hawkins and Feliciano, it'll be their first spring appearance.

Good news for pitching prospect Erik Goeddel, who will avoid surgery after getting hit in the face with a ball. Goeddel does not have any vision issues, so he should be good to go once he's finished recuperating.

Jose Castillo has a Q&A with utility guy Josh Satin. #HAILSATIN Satin is one of a few infielders who will potentially get some time in the outfield over the next few weeks.

Around the Majors

Bud Selig is making the call for stricter penalties for performance enhancing drugs.

Cardinals' manager Mike Matheny wants to improve catcher safety in home plate collisions.

Kyle Lohse is still a free agent and it's March 3rd.

In non-news that's turned into sort-of-news, the Angels renewed Mike Trout's contract for $510,000 (as is usual with 0-3 year players) but Trout's agent is angry.

Former Phillies' GM Pat Gillick is not buying that Phillies are dead. He says that the team should have 2-3 more years of contention left in them. Probably could've been more if Ruben Amaro didn't Ruin Tomorrow.

Rafael Furcal's elbow is still bothering him. That could mean former Met Ronny Cedeno starting at shortstop.

Yesterday At AA

Brock Mahan looks back at March 2nd in Mets' history.